Classic Rockies Featuring the Rocky Mountaineer

Welcome to Calgary. Meet your A&K representative who will drive you to your luxury mountain resort in UNESCO-listed Banff National Park. Depending on your arrival time, take a stroll around Banff resort town or visit the Rundle Lounge for a wind-down cocktail.

Fairmont Banff Springs

This morning, step aboard the Sulphur Mountain Gondola and ascend to sweeping views of Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of the Rockies. Once at the summit, walk the boardwalk to the historic Cosmic Ray weather station for a scenic panorama of the UNESCO-listed Banff National Park.

This afternoon, trek through the alpine wilderness on a Canadian Rockies heli-hiking adventure. Join a certified mountain guide for a spectacular scenic helicopter ride into Cougar Canyon. Touch down in the mountains and embark on a hike tailored to your wishes. From a gentle meadow walk to a trek along an alpine ridge, your guide will lead the way and teach you all about the plants and animals that call the Rockies home.

Fairmont Banff Springs | Meals: BL

This morning, journey to glacially fed Moraine Lake which snakes its way through the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This mountain-ringed turquoise gem is like something straight out of a fairytale. Stroll the lakeshore with your expert guide discovering pristine waterfalls and moraines, and basking in Mother Nature’s tranquillity.

Continue to Lake Louise, where you’ll see what’s left of the once mighty Victoria Glacier that created this iconic turquoise lake at the end of the last Ice Age.

Finish the day with a visit to Yoho National Park where glaciers and waterfalls cling to towering peaks. Of the four Rockies national parks, Yoho is the least visited. Experience a quieter side of the mountains at sites such as Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake. Your guide will find the perfect walk for your energy levels, and you’ll have the opportunity to spot bear, elk, moose and other wildlife as you go.

Fairmont Banff Springs | Meals: BL

Today your two-day luxury train journey begins. From Banff Train Station, hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer at Banff train station, and find your seat in GoldLeaf Premium for your spectacular passage to Vancouver. You are seated under a fully glass-domed coach with unobstructed views from every angle. Savour gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs and stretch your legs as you need with the exclusive outdoor viewing platform. Your hosts will entertain you with stories about passing landmarks, topping up your glass of wine as you wish and calling out wildlife sightings.

Your first day takes you on a steep climb up to the Continental Divide and on to the architectural marvel of the Spiral Tunnels, and the pristine wilderness of Kicking Horse Canyon. Next, cruise through the sheer jagged peaks – cut through by the Columbia River - and the richly forested havens of Rogers Pass. Arrive in the quaint town of Kamloops in the evening, where you are escorted to your overnight accommodation.

Kamloops | Meals: BL

Today the Rocky Mountaineer will follow the Thompson River through Ashcroft and Rainbow Canyon, where the cliffs have pink, green and grey hues. Continue through Fraser River Canyon, where you’ll witness the torrid rapids of Hells Gate, and learn about the hundreds of ships that have sunk trying to navigate its swirling waters. The last leg takes you through the scenic Fraser Valley, arriving in Vancouver late afternoon. Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred to your luxury waterfront hotel with unparalleled views of Vancouver Harbor.

Fairmont Pacific Rim | Meals: BL

Experience the vibrancy and natural beauty of Vancouver on a day of short walking tours and scenic drives. Admire views of English Bay, where the city meets the sea, and peel back the storied history of Yaletown and False Creek, cultural Chinatown, and historic Gastown — full of cobblestoned streets, art galleries and dramatic ocean views. You’ll also see the beaches, trails and ever-blooming gardens of Stanley Park, and visit Capilano River Canyon Rainforest. Along the way, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch.

Depending on your month of travel, learn about sustainability as you observe the salmon run — a mass mating event where salmon migrate from the ocean to the rivers — and experience thrills on the 50-metre-high Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Get high above the treetops, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the rainforest and canyon below.

Fairmont Pacific Rim | Meals: BL

Join your guide for a private trip up the Sea to Sky Highway, lauded as one of the most magnificent drives in North America, en route to Whistler Resort. Gaze out at ocean views, towering mountains and sprawling glaciers as you travel along the Coast Range, with bountiful photo opportunities, and optional stops at Shannon Falls and Squamish.

Upon arrival in Whistler, follow your guide through the pedestrian village before boarding the Peak-2-Peak Gondola with its stunning 360-degree views of Whistler Village, mountain peaks, lakes, glaciers and forests. If you like you can ride the special glass-bottom gondola for a bird's-eye view of the forest. Enjoy lunch at one of Whistler's many fine restaurants before returning to Vancouver Harbour via shared float plane.

Fairmont Pacific Rim | Meals: BL

Transfer privately to the airport for your departing flight. Alternatively, extend your trip into beautiful Victoria on Vancouver Island, or stay at one of the remote lodges in the mountains.

Meals: B